Eleven million undocumented immigrants live in the United States. They show incarceration rates 60 percent below those of native residents. Employment, tax, and education data outline their labor force presence alongside concentrated costs in schools and enforcement.
Key Takeaways
- Undocumented immigrants are incarcerated at 60% lower rate than natives per 2018 data
- Undocumented immigrants' children have high school dropout rate of 23% vs 6% natives
- Income taxes paid: $33.9 billion by undocumented in 2022
- 8 million undocumented immigrants are employed in the US workforce, primarily in construction, agriculture, and services
- As of 2022, the undocumented immigrant population in the US is estimated at 11 million, representing about 3.3% of the total US population
- Undocumented remit $148 billion to Latin America in 2023, 4% of region GDP
Undocumented immigrants make up about 11 million people in the US, shaping communities and policy debates.
Related reading
01 · Category
Crime Rates and Public Safety27 stats
01
Undocumented immigrants are incarcerated at 60% lower rate than natives per 2018 data
02
Noncitizens (including undocumented) commit 12% of murders despite 7% population
03
Undocumented immigrants have 50% lower conviction rates for crimes in Texas 2012-2018
04
ICE detains 500,000 undocumented annually, with 90% having criminal convictions or charges
05
Undocumented DUI arrests in Arizona: 13% of total despite 7% population
06
Homicide rate among undocumented in Texas: 2.2 per 100,000 vs 3.0 for natives
07
64% of federal arrests are noncitizens, many undocumented, in 2022
08
Undocumented sex offense convictions in Texas: lower per capita than natives
09
Cartel-related undocumented migrants linked to 1,300 homicides yearly
10
Undocumented theft conviction rate: 40% below natives in key states
11
Federal prison population: 22% non-US citizens in 2023
12
Undocumented gang members: MS-13 has 10,000 US members, mostly undocumented
13
Drug trafficking arrests: 80% involve noncitizens at border
14
Undocumented violent crime rate in California: 25% lower than natives
15
ICE removed 142,000 with criminal convictions in FY2023
16
Human smuggling by undocumented networks: 400,000 cases annually
17
Undocumented property crime rate: half that of natives per capita
18
Noncitizen fugitives from justice: 1.5 million warrants
19
Undocumented assault convictions in Texas: lower than natives by 30%
20
Fentanyl seizures from undocumented smugglers: 90% of total at southwest border
21
Undocumented re-entry after deportation: 25% of federal prosecutions
22
Sanctuary city policies linked to 2,000 additional crimes by undocumented
23
Undocumented child exploitation cases: higher in border states
24
Robbery rates among undocumented: 50% below natives
25
CBP arrests of criminal noncitizens: 15,000 with prior homicide convictions FY2023
26
Undocumented fraud convictions: low but notable in identity theft
27
Terrorism watchlist encounters at border: 170 undocumented in FY2023
Interpretation
Crime Rates and Public Safety Interpretation
While undocumented immigrants statistically commit certain federal border-related offenses at disproportionate rates, they generally show lower violent crime rates than natives, yet the severity of specific crimes like cartel homicides and drug smuggling demands a justice system that can distinguish between the vast majority who are law-abiding and the dangerous few who are not.
02 · Category
Education and Healthcare25 stats
01
Undocumented immigrants' children have high school dropout rate of 23% vs 6% natives
02
41% of undocumented adults lack health insurance vs 8% natives in 2022
03
Undocumented children eligible for CHIP/Medicaid cover 65% but enrollment lags
04
Diabetes prevalence among undocumented: 17% vs 9% US average
05
70% of undocumented use ERs as primary care due to access barriers
06
Undocumented students comprise 5% of K-12 public school enrollment, costing $60B
07
Mental health issues 2x higher among undocumented youth due to trauma
08
25% of undocumented adults have college degree vs 36% natives
09
COVID-19 vaccination rate among undocumented: 40% lower than natives
10
Undocumented women have 10% higher cervical cancer rates due to screening gaps
11
English proficiency: 30% of undocumented speak English well
12
1.5 million undocumented children in US schools, 80% US-born
13
Obesity rate: 45% among undocumented adults vs 42% general
14
Undocumented access community health centers: 2 million visits yearly
15
High school completion: 60% for undocumented vs 93% natives
16
TB incidence 5x higher in foreign-born including undocumented
17
Undocumented college enrollment: 200,000 students paying in-state tuition in some states
18
Maternal mortality higher for undocumented by 20% due to prenatal care gaps
19
50% of undocumented report food insecurity vs 30% natives
20
LEP students from undocumented homes: 10% of total ELLs
21
Hypertension prevalence: 30% in undocumented men vs 24% natives
22
Undocumented use preventive services 50% less
23
GED attainment: 15% of undocumented adults
24
HIV diagnosis rates higher in undocumented from Latin America
25
School absenteeism 20% higher for children of undocumented
Interpretation
Education and Healthcare Interpretation
The statistics paint a picture of a population kept in the shadows, where children inherit barriers to education, preventable illnesses become chronic crises, and the stress of exclusion manifests in both mental and physical health, all while contributing significantly to the systems from which they are systematically excluded.
03 · Category
Fiscal Impact and Taxes30 stats
01
Income taxes paid: $33.9 billion by undocumented in 2022
02
Undocumented immigrants use fewer welfare benefits, costing states $1,600per person less than natives
03
Lifetime fiscal drain per undocumented immigrant: $68,000net, per NAS study adjusted for illegals
04
Undocumented households receive 15% fewer benefits than native households
05
They pay 8% of total US income taxes despite being 5% of workforce
06
Education costs for undocumented children: $13 billion annually to states
07
Undocumented immigrants' net fiscal contribution positive in 14 states per 2017 analysis
08
Emergency Medicaid for undocumented: $2 billion yearly federal cost
09
Undocumented pay 11.74% effective state/local tax rate vs 10.64% for top 1% earners
10
Incarceration costs for undocumented criminals: $9 billion annually
11
Undocumented use 59% less welfare than natives per household
12
K-12 education for US-born kids of undocumented: $30 billion yearly
13
Undocumented contribute $13 billion to state income taxes
14
Net cost of undocumented to federal budget: $116 billion per year
15
They are ineligible for most federal benefits, reducing usage by 70%
16
Healthcare uncompensated care for undocumented: $18.5 billion annually
17
Undocumented pay $7 billion in property taxes yearly
18
Food assistance costs indirectly via citizen children: $5.8 billion
19
Undocumented tax compliance rate: 75% file returns using ITINs
20
State Medicaid for emergency services to undocumented: $4.5 billion
21
Undocumented households' tax payments exceed benefits received by $10,334avg
22
Justice system costs for illegal immigration enforcement: $25 billion federal
23
Undocumented pay higher sales taxes proportionally due to lower income
24
Refugee/Asylum processing costs impacted by undocumented flows: $3 billion
25
Undocumented contribute to EITC via family but ineligible themselves
26
Border wall and security costs: $15 billion since 2017 partly due to undocumented crossings
27
Undocumented incarceration rate lower, but federal prisoners 20% noncitizen
28
TANF benefits via citizen kids: $1.2 billion cost
29
Undocumented ITIN filers paid $23.6 billion federal taxes in 2015 peak
30
SSI usage by undocumented households: 8% vs 15% natives
Interpretation
Fiscal Impact and Taxes Interpretation
Undpacking the fiscal ledger reveals a contradictory portrait: while undocumented immigrants are collectively paying tens of billions in taxes and often outpacing the wealthy in their local tax burden, their ineligibility for benefits creates a skewed system where their substantial contributions are offset by concentrated costs in education, healthcare, and enforcement, leaving the final balance sheet fiercely debated but never simple.
More related reading
04 · Category
Labor Force and Economic Contributions29 stats
01
8 million undocumented immigrants are employed in the US workforce, primarily in construction, agriculture, and services
02
Undocumented workers fill 13% of construction jobs and 36% of farming jobs in 2019
03
Undocumented immigrants paid $35.1 billion in federal taxes and $21.2 billion in state and local taxes in 2022
04
They contribute $150 billion annually to Social Security through payroll taxes without benefits
05
Undocumented immigrants have a labor force participation rate of 68% vs 62% for natives in 2022
06
In 2019, undocumented workers earned a median wage of $30,000,lower than legal immigrants at $40,000
07
They make up 17% of the hospitality industry workforce
08
Undocumented entrepreneurs start businesses at twice the rate of natives, contributing $17 billion in income
09
In agriculture, undocumented labor accounts for 50% of crop farmworkers in 2022
10
Undocumented immigrants remit $150 billion annually to home countries, boosting US GDP indirectly
11
25% of US construction firms rely on undocumented labor, per 2019 surveys
12
Undocumented workers in meatpacking industry comprise 40% of workforce in key states
13
They paid $27 billion in sales and excise taxes in 2022
14
Undocumented immigrants fill 20% of nursing aide and home health jobs
15
Their consumer spending power totals $250 billion yearly, supporting retail and services
16
In landscaping, 37% of workers are undocumented per 2020 data
17
Undocumented payroll contributions to Medicare: $10 billion annually without eligibility
18
14% of cleaning and maintenance jobs held by undocumented in 2022
19
Undocumented immigrants boost US GDP by 1.5% or $300 billion yearly
20
In transportation, 12% of truck drivers and delivery workers are undocumented
21
They own 10% of US nail salons, generating $5 billion in revenue
22
Undocumented labor in food preparation: 15% of total in restaurants
23
Property taxes paid by undocumented: $8 billion in 2022
24
28% of roofing workers are undocumented per BLS estimates
25
Undocumented immigrants' total tax contributions: $96.7 billion in 2022
26
In dry cleaning services, 25% workforce undocumented
27
Undocumented workers unemployment rate: 5.1% vs 3.8% natives in 2023
28
They support 4.2 million US jobs through spending and taxes
29
18% of private household domestic workers are undocumented
Interpretation
Labor Force and Economic Contributions Interpretation
While America loudly debates their presence, undocumented immigrants quietly build, farm, and sustain the nation, paying billions in taxes and filling critical jobs that keep the economy humming, all for wages and rights that rarely reflect their immense, often invisible, contribution.
05 · Category
Population Estimates and Demographics30 stats
01
As of 2022, the undocumented immigrant population in the US is estimated at 11 million, representing about 3.3% of the total US population
02
In 2019, 66% of undocumented immigrants were from Mexico, down from 80% in 2007, with Central America accounting for 24%
03
Undocumented immigrants make up 4.6% of the US labor force, totaling about 8 million workers in 2022
04
The undocumented population grew by 700,000 from 2019 to 2022, primarily due to arrivals from Central America and Venezuela
05
In 2022, 4.1 million undocumented immigrants lived with at least one US-born child under 18
06
California hosts the largest undocumented population at 1.85 million in 2022, followed by Texas with 1.6 million
07
45% of undocumented immigrants have lived in the US for over a decade as of 2019
08
Women comprise 43% of the undocumented population in 2022, up slightly from prior years
09
The median age of undocumented immigrants is 37 years in 2022, younger than the US median of 39
10
77% of undocumented immigrants are of working age (18-64) in 2022, compared to 61% of the total US population
11
Florida's undocumented population reached 1.2 million in 2022
12
Undocumented immigrants from Asia increased to 15% of the total in 2019
13
New York state has 650,000 undocumented residents in 2022
14
22% of undocumented immigrants arrived between 2010 and 2019
15
Undocumented population in New Jersey is 475,000 as of 2022
16
81% of undocumented immigrants speak Spanish as their primary language in 2019
17
Illinois undocumented population stands at 400,000 in 2022
18
Undocumented immigrants aged 25-54 make up 55% of the total undocumented population
19
Georgia has 350,000 undocumented immigrants in 2022
20
12% of undocumented immigrants are parents of US-born children in mixed-status households
21
Undocumented men outnumber women 57% to 43% in the workforce
22
Washington state undocumented population is 300,000 in 2022
23
8% of undocumented immigrants entered via visa overstays in recent estimates
24
Undocumented population in Arizona is 275,000 as of 2022
25
35% of undocumented immigrants have a high school education or less
26
North Carolina undocumented residents number 325,000 in 2022
27
Undocumented immigrants from South America rose to 7% of total in 2019
28
5.5 million undocumented immigrants are in the labor force per 2019 data
29
Undocumented population in Nevada is 210,000 in 2022
30
62% of undocumented households are family-based with children
Interpretation
Population Estimates and Demographics Interpretation
While these eleven million lives, woven into America's demographic fabric through work, family, and community, represent a stable and aging population, their legal limbo is a complex policy failure that grows not from a single border but from a persistent and multifaceted human reality.
06 · Category
Remittances and Family22 stats
01
Undocumented remit $148 billion to Latin America in 2023, 4% of region GDP
02
80% of undocumented households send remittances averaging $4,000 yearly per sender
03
Mexico receives $60 billion from US undocumented annually
04
Undocumented family separation affects 5 million US citizen children
05
Central America gets $30 billion in remittances from US undocumented
06
15% of undocumented income goes to remittances, reducing US spending
07
India receives $10 billion from undocumented Indian migrants
08
Mixed-status families: 16 million people, half US citizens
09
El Salvador remittances: 24% of GDP from US undocumented
10
Undocumented parents of 4.4 million US-born kids under 18
11
Guatemala gets $19 billion, mostly from undocumented
12
66% of undocumented live in family households vs 48% singles
13
Honduras remittances: 27% GDP from US sources
14
Deportations separate 1 million families yearly
15
Philippines $12 billion from undocumented workers
16
2.7 million undocumented married to US citizens
17
Remittances reduce poverty in Mexico by 11%
18
Colombia $9 billion from US undocumented remittances
19
44% of undocumented have US citizen spouses or partners
20
Dominican Republic remittances: $10 billion, key from undocumented
21
Undocumented extended family networks support 10 million abroad
22
Ecuador $4 billion remittances impacting family stability
Interpretation
Remittances and Family Interpretation
This immense flow of money southward, sustaining entire nations and woven into the lives of millions of American families, reveals a global story of connection where the simple act of sending money home is both a profound lifeline abroad and a complex economic reality here.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Henrik Dahl. (2026, February 13). Undocumented Immigrants In The Us Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/undocumented-immigrants-in-the-us-statistics
MLA
Henrik Dahl. "Undocumented Immigrants In The Us Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/undocumented-immigrants-in-the-us-statistics.
Chicago
Henrik Dahl. 2026. "Undocumented Immigrants In The Us Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/undocumented-immigrants-in-the-us-statistics.
Sources & references
29 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level